Wodhooh (Jack Kennedy) going neck and neck with eventual runner-up Cossack Chach© Photo Healy Racing
One to four chance Wodhooh had to work hard but she delivered in the Lisburn And Castlereagh City Council 3-Y-O Hurdle at Down Royal to bring up an across-the-card double for Gordon Elliott.
Victorious in six of the seven races at the venue yesterday, Elliott began his Saturday with Harmonya Maker scoring at Gowran under Jordan Gainford, whilst it was Jack Kennedy that did the needful aboard Wodhooh.
The Sundowners Partnership-owned victorious Le Havre filly is now three from three at this game, and she had to be brave to master Cossack Chach by a neck, after a tremendous buckle down over the final three hurdles.
Paddy Power lengthened Wodhooh to 25/1 from 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.
"She's tough and he (Jack Kennedy) said it probably would have suited more if they had gone faster. He said he was kind of on his own in front and she was looking around her," said Elliott.
"She's tough, she has won three now and she hasn't done anything wrong.
"She did (have to jump well today), she has learned more from today probably than she has in her last couple of runs.
"She is very laid-back and doesn't do anything at home, she isn't flashy at home.
"She will probably go to Newbury now for the Listed hurdle on the 5th December.
"The horses are running well and we had a winner in Gowran (Harmonya Maker), so we can't complain."
The Raceday Stewards held an enquiry prior to race one to consider a report from the Veterinary Officer, Dr. L. Hillyer, regarding Cossach Chach, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien. Evidence was heard from the Veterinary Officer and Ms. Tina Evans, Authorised Representative for the trainer. Dr. Hillyer reported that she was alerted by one of her staff that Cossach Chach had residue at its mouth. When she examined the horse it had a red residue at both sides of its mouth. When she asked Mr. O'Brien's stable staff member regarding this residue, he stated that the horse had been given Manuka Honey and electrolytes at 9am the previous day. Ms Tina Evans stated that she had loaded the horse at 5am this morning when it was dark and hadn't noticed that the horse still had residue on its mouth. Dr. Hillyer further added that she conducted a search of the horse lorry and found no evidence of concern there. A veterinary cert was subsequently furnished to the Stewards from O'Byrne and Halley Veterinary Surgeons which stated that the horse had received Twydil X and Twydil twyblid after exercise at 7.20am on Friday and received electrolytes at 9am on the same day. Having considered the matter the Raceday Stewards took no further action other than to order the sampling of the horse post race. Mr. F. Cahill, Raceday Steward, did not attend this enquiry.
The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident at the final bend involving Cossack Chach, ridden by J.J. Slevin, placed second, and Wodhooh (FR), ridden by J.W. Kennedy, placed first, where it appeared horses came close together. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
(MG & EM)
